This painting is available as Note Cards.

Growing up I was fortunate enough to have 3 dogs I loved (at different times), and several cats I adored. But each time my family would move to another state, my parents would give away my dog to strangers and drive off leaving my cat behind to fend for itself. To my parents, dogs and cats were animals with jobs to do around the farm: kill the mice, ward off intruders– my dogs were never permitted in the house. Dogs and cats were not something to be hauled around from state to state. Obviously, I grew up with a highly distorted attitude toward family pets.

By 10th grade, I’d become indifferent to pets—I’d loved and lost too many.

When I had kids of my own, my wife made it clear that pets are essential to the needs of children, and are full-fledged members of the family. Pets were to live indoors and sleep at the foot of the bed.

So, in 1979 we adopted this little guy, and named him Bucky (Starbuck). It took my wife and both kids to shatter the indifference I had acquired over the years. Them and Bucky. It would be 17 more years before I was again able to love cats as I had done as a child (also thanks to my remarkable kids). 2017 marks the 20th year I’ve had a pet that lives in my home, and has never had to earn its keep.

This painting is in memory of Bucky, beloved his entire life by his family.

NFS

This painting is available as Note Cards (4-1/4 x 5-1/2″). Note Cards can be viewed and/or purchased here: “Bucky Note Cards” (Secure Zazzle page will open in new tab.)

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